Cup having mirror attached to its bottom

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a cup for containing a beverage including liquor. The cup comprises a reflection layer installed at the bottom of the cup toward an upper side of the cup, for reflecting light incident from the outside; and a protection layer installed outside the reflection layer, for protecting the reflection layer. Further, a logo or a character for performing a mirror function and a mean transfer function is printed at a part of the reflection layer using a luminous material and/or paint. Therefore, a unique visual effect can be provided during drinking, so that the quality of service can be improved.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates generally to a cup for containing a beverage such as liquor, etc., and more particularly to, a cup having a mirror attached to its bottom for reflecting light toward an upward direction.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Cups (or wine cup or wine glass), called a common container for containing liquor or alcoholic drink, is usually made of a transparent glass. The shape and size of the cups are very various.

[0005] The present invention is contrived to give the frequently used common cup with another function. If he/she wants to see his/her face when drinking liquor with others, he/she must use a toilet or use his/her carrying mirror. Thus, he/she may commit discourtesy since he/she could not easily see his/her varying face.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is contrived to solve the above problems and an object of the present invention is to provide a cup having a mirror attached to its bottom through which he/she can see his/her face during drinking.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a functionality cup capable of further increasing atmosphere of a meeting by reflecting light incident from the outside.

[0008] In order to accomplish the above object, a cup according to the present invention, is characterized in that it comprises a mirror attached at the bottom of the cup, for reflecting light incident from the outside.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] The aforementioned aspects and other features of the present invention will be explained in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cup according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cup according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cup according to a still another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a plan view of a reflective layer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The present invention will be described in detail by way of a preferred embodiment with reference to accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to identify the same or similar parts.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cup according to one embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cup according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Referring now to FIG. 1, a common cup 2 includes a refection layer 4 at a flat bottom of the cup 2, for forming a mirror. The reflection layer 4 is first deposited with thin silver film or a thin aluminum film and is then applied with paints thereon. This process is well known in the art. Therefore, detailed processes and structure will not be described and shown in this specification. Further, a protection layer 6 made of plastic or glass for protecting the bottom of the cup is adhered at the bottom of the reflection layer 4.

[0013] According to the present invention, the reflection layer is directly formed at the bottom of the cup.

[0014] Referring now to FIG. 2, a cup 2′ includes a thin mirror 8 fixedly attached to the bottom of the cup 2′ and a protection layer 6′ for protecting the mirror 8. According to the present invention, the bottom of the cup has a three-layer structure. It should be noted that a reflection layer 4′ is formed at one side of the mirror 8. It should be also noted that attachment of the mirror 8 to the bottom of the cup 2′ does not exist in the embodiment in FIG. 1, which may be adjusted according to the manufacturing process such as cost, process, etc.

[0015] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a cup 2″ according to a still another embodiment of the present invention. A reflection layer 4″ has a shape the edge of which is not flat and curved. According to the present invention, an edge portion 4″ a of the reflection layer 4″ is bent. This structure of the reflection layer allows incident light to be reflected in various ways, so that visual effect can be increased.

[0016] A protection layer 6″ may be made of other materials not glass. For example, the protection layer 6″ may be made of synthetic resins, etc. for prevention of sliding. The protection layer may be adhered by a common adhesive.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a reflective layer 6, 6′ and 6″ according to another embodiment of the present invention. The reflection layer includes a reflection element 10, and a logo or a character 12 that is applied with a luminous paint or printed with the ink having a high reflectivity. Thus, a user can view a company broadcasting or a fine art on the logo at the same time when he/she view the mirror during drinking.

[0018] This means that the cup of the present invention can be used as the broadcasting of a company. The logo or character can be printed with paints including hologram particles.

[0019] The present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment in connection with a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings of the present invention will recognize additional modifications and applications within the scope thereof. For example, it should be noted that a concave mirror or a convex mirror in addition to the flat mirror might be attached to the bottom of the cup. It should be further noted that a portion where the mirror is attached is not limit to the bottom of the cup but can be extended to a certain height from the bottom of the cup.

[0020] In addition, an alternative reflection layer having a relatively low reflectivity may be used considering processing cost.

[0021] Further, the protection layer for protecting the reflection layer may be formed by thinly coating epoxy, etc.

[0022] As mentioned above, according to the present invention, a cup's user can have a new feeling since he/she can view his/her face while drinking. Further, as the light incident from the lighting of a room is reflected or the light incident into the beverage is scattered, a new sense of beauty can be generated. This provides a user with an improved service while contributes to improvement of an industry by providing the use of the cup.

[0023] It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A cup having a mirror attached to its bottom, comprising: a reflection layer installed at the bottom of the cup toward an upper side of the cup, for reflecting light incident from the outside; and a protection layer installed outside the reflection layer, for protecting the reflection layer.
 2. The cup having a mirror attached to its bottom as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reflection layer is formed to a certain height from the edge of the bottom the cup.
 3. The cup having a mirror attached to its bottom as claimed in claim 1, wherein a logo or a character for performing a mirror function and a mean transfer function is printed at a part of the reflection layer using a luminous material and/or paint. 